This Is Why the Large Number of Political Appointees Are A Problem
So, Tim Geithner doesn't have a lot of people helping him out at the Treasury, and he's overstreteched. This is obviously a bad thing. A lot of the debate over Geithner's overstretch has focused on how the Obama administration got spooked by some early confirmation scares, and as a result, has moved far too slowly to fill some positions at arguably the most important department in government at the moment.
It's hard to argue that it's in any way a good thing that Obama hasn't filled a lot of key posts at Treasury. But that kind of misses the point. Obama shouldn't have to appoint that many people in the first place. There are far too many positions that the president has to fill personally that could be easily and competently done by career employees. Of course the president needs people who can implement his agenda and set policy. That's what department heads and a layer of political appointees immediately below him or her are for. But agencies and departments would be vastly better served by having high-ranking career employees bringing their institutional memory and experience to high-level positions in departments and ensuring that they can continue to function no matter how far along the president is in his vetting and appointments process.
COMMENTS
Post a Comment
By using this Service you agree not to post material that is obscene, harassing, defamatory, or otherwise objectionable. Although GovExec does not monitor comments posted to this site (and has no obligation to), it reserves the right to delete, edit, or move any material that it deems to be in violation of this rule.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Government Executive Staff Correspondent Alyssa Rosenberg takes a look at news affecting the management and operations of the massive federal bureaucracy.
I disagree. Since the Bush administration fostered the advancement of those who fell in line with the anti-union, anti-government, tough-talking, militaristic, autocratic, opaque government we are better off with Obama appointees who can hopefully change the culture of our agencies.
ME Posted Monday, March 9, 2009 4:48 PMThe GOP has attained their long range goals over the last 30 years especially with the final push during the most recently completed executive administration. That goal was to significantly reduce the push back to their policies by organized labor. The solution was to export as many jobs as possible and outsource the rest. Concept: If there is no labor to organize then there is no organized labor push back. Mission accomplished! Labor reduced! Tax base reduced! Our nation is now reaping the whirlwind! Shame!
Rick Posted Tuesday, March 10, 2009 7:14 AM"got spooked" said by the "right" person would have been labeled "racist". Good thing the thought/word police are too busy trying to spin what Limbaugh says.
cwmcpa Posted Tuesday, March 10, 2009 7:16 AMI think the point is missed, the purpose of the appointee is to carry out the President's agenda. These appointees are in fact obligated to the President and that President's administration in carrying out a specific agenda. These high level positions are to set a course to get the President's objective met. The confirmation process should not be a "gottchu" moment, but an opportunity for the appointee to present credentials and express thoughts on what they will contributed directly to meeting the President's objective.
We've gotten to the point that no ones wants to serve because of the sucrinty of the position.
Anyone who desire to be an appointment needs to understand that their sole purpose is to carry out the objectives of the President and the President's administration. Of course career employees can assume these position if they are willing to subject themselves to the confirmation process and be willing to leave that position at the wishes of the President or the President's administration.
cool Posted Tuesday, March 10, 2009 7:49 AMYou're RIGHT...what is with Alyssa R.? This man has not been in office 100 days and the it sure looks like his team IS moving a heck of a lot quicker! I don't think his Administration "got spooked"...this is just different than what we've seen the last eight years! Come on, Alyssa...the culture of the Agencies is in DIRE need of change.
Agree w/ ME Posted Tuesday, March 10, 2009 7:50 AMWe have political appointees in positions that have nothing to do with the mission of the agency, so I would argue that there are too many political positions.
I think it is ironic that Geithner is used as the example of a Departmental Secretary who is overstretched because it is taking a while to fill the other political positions. If he had kept his finances straight and paid his taxes, the White House would not be checking everone three times!
Charlie Posted Tuesday, March 10, 2009 9:57 AMTHANK YOU ALYSSA! I have been saying what you wrote FOR YEARS!
SOME political appointees, yes, BUT there ARE and HAVE been FAR TOO MANY of them to pass ANY SMELL TEST. You need not go back that far to see them in action!
iggy Posted Tuesday, March 10, 2009 10:44 AMGot spooked?? Maybe he's learned that this isn't Chicago and Pay to Play will be caught at least by some in the Congress. This guy kept telling us he was running the country since Nov so what does he have to show us??
This is what happens when you have someone with 139 days of experience you have a huge learning curve and its doubtful he can ever step up
dan ketter Posted Tuesday, March 10, 2009 11:31 AM